Summary & Overview
HCPCS Q4023: Pediatric Short Arm Plaster Splint (0-10 years)
HCPCS Level II code Q4023 denotes a pediatric short arm plaster splint for children aged 0–10 years. This supply code captures a commonly used immobilization device in acute pediatric musculoskeletal care and is relevant across emergency, urgent care, and orthopedic outpatient settings. Nationally, accurate coding of such supply items supports appropriate billing for device use, inventory tracking, and claims adjudication for pediatric fracture and soft-tissue injury care. Key payers in the analysis include Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna Health, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare.
Readers will find an overview of what Q4023 represents clinically and operationally, typical sites of service where the supply is applied, and what to expect in payer coverage patterns. The publication covers benchmarking of coverage and reimbursement practices, implications for billing workflows, and relevant policy updates affecting HCPCS supply codes. Clinical context addresses common scenarios for short arm plaster splint use in pediatric patients and how the supply code integrates with service documentation. Data availability and gaps are noted where applicable. This content is intended for national audiences including billing professionals, revenue cycle managers, and clinical staff involved in pediatric immobilization supply management.
Billing Code Overview
HCPCS Level II code Q4023 describes cast supplies, short arm splint, pediatric (0-10 years), plaster. The code represents a disposable or single-use pediatric short arm plaster splint intended for immobilization of the forearm and wrist in children aged 0 to 10 years.
Service type: Durable medical supply / casting material for acute immobilization
Typical site of service: Emergency department, urgent care, outpatient orthopedic clinic, and hospital inpatient settings where acute pediatric immobilization is provided
Data not available in the input.
Clinical & Coding Specifications
Clinical Context
A 7-year-old child presents to an outpatient orthopedic clinic after falling from playground equipment, complaining of forearm pain and swelling. Clinical exam demonstrates tenderness localized to the distal radius/ulna with limited wrist motion. Plain radiographs confirm a nondisplaced distal radius buckle fracture. The clinician determines that immobilization with a short arm splint is appropriate for comfort and fracture stability. The clinic uses plaster short arm splint supplies sized for pediatric patients (age 0–10 years). The workflow includes evaluation and radiographs, diagnosis and treatment decision, application of a short arm plaster splint using supplies represented by Q4023, discharge instructions, and scheduled follow-up within 1–2 weeks for re-evaluation and possible transition to a removable cast or continued immobilization. Typical sites of service are outpatient orthopedic clinics, urgent care centers, pediatric emergency departments, and ambulatory surgery centers when performed as part of fracture management.
Coding Specifications
| Modifier | Description | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
-22 | Increased procedural services | Use when work or complexity of splint application is substantially greater than usual (document justification). |